Iowa wins the Acrisure Series Championship by defeating Grand Canyon 59–46. California’s Palm Desert On November 26, 2025, Iowa used poise, timely shots, and a developing defensive identity to defeat Grand Canyon 59–46 and win the Acrisure Series championship at Acrisure Arena on a night when offense was scarce and every possession felt like a minor struggle.
It wasn’t the kind of triumph that creates highlight reels, but it did reveal a more profound aspect of a team. The Hawkeyes maintained composure despite Grand Canyon’s waves of pressure and physicality, Iowa’s young guards played with a confidence well beyond their years, and its role players delivered gritty minutes.
The game was more like a chess match than a shootout during the first half. During stoppages, guards Cooper Koch and Tate Sage were frequently observed conversing; these brief exchanges demonstrated how crucial communication was in a close game. Koch in particular seemed to embrace the limelight. He was the one who jumped right into a shot whenever Iowa needed a momentum swing.
Nothing was simple in Grand Canyon. With players like Jaden Henley and Makaih Williams persistently driving into traffic, the Lopes deliberately attacked the rim in an attempt to weaken Iowa’s defense. Early on, center Efe Demirel was a force on the glass, grabbing rebounds and attempting to spray passes to his guards. He kept his team within striking distance on multiple occasions, including when he came down with a contested board, turned around under duress, and restarted Grand Canyon’s offense.
However, Iowa consistently managed to counter with just enough. Bennett Stirtz was patient with Grand Canyon’s ball pressure and hardly ever accelerated. He changed when the Lopes’ defenders tightened their coverage, attacking downhill at times and slowing down at others. One of the game’s biggest shocks was his dunk in the second half, which caused the Iowa bench to stand up and the crowd to erupt.
When Iowa needed space, freshman guard Kael Combs confidently rose for jumpers to contribute significant minutes. Alvaro Folgueiras, a forward, established himself inside by pushing past Grand Canyon’s physical forwards, including Nana Owusu-Anane. Folgueiras persisted despite the fact that every drive appeared to be accompanied by a bump, a hand in his back, or a collapsing defender.
Bryce Drew, the head coach of Grand Canyon, was animated on the sidelines for a large portion of the evening, encouraging his team to continue attacking the rim and move the ball more quickly. The Lopes found moments of energy despite their offensive struggles, such as when Demirel hammered home a dunk that momentarily reversed momentum and sent their supporters into a frenzy. The Grand Canyon University marching band and their traveling supporters kept the building boisterous as they cheered and danced during each run.
Ben McCullum, the head coach of Iowa, however, never appeared to be shaken. He maintained his composure even during scoring droughts, calmly gesturing to his players and emphasizing execution time and time again. That kind of attitude appealed to his team. Late in the game, Isaia Howard helped Iowa establish separation by pushing the ball in transition and making difficult layups, including one over Owusu-Anane.
The pivotal moment occurred when Koch scored a vital three from the wing as the second half was coming to an end. With a shout and clenched fists, he retreated as Iowa’s supporters rose behind him. It was a declaration that Iowa was not going to let this one slip away, not just a big shot. Shortly after, Grand Canyon was forced to make hurried drives and contested attempts as the Hawkeyes put together several defensive stops. That was the night’s tale: discipline, defense, and just enough offense to take home a trophy from the desert.
Koch, who had been at the center of so many significant moments, raised his arms in celebration as the final buzzer went off. As players hugged close to midcourt, Iowa supporters cheered behind him. It was a hard-won victory that fosters confidence rather than merely filling a box score. The 46-point total demonstrated Iowa’s physicality and concentration, but Grand Canyon battled to the very end, with Henrique, Williams, and Demirel attacking until the final whistle. Iowa demonstrated that it could handle the challenge in a tournament environment where fast turnaround times can test a team’s resilience.
After a tough game that revealed their true selves, the Hawkeyes emerged victorious in the Acrisure Series.
